Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A bar-type mobile terminal can include antennas configured to transmit and receive radio signals; a metallic frame having a front side and a rear side, the metallic frame including an edge portion forming an appearance of the bar-type mobile terminal, an upper through hole, and a lower through hole; an upper non-metallic coupling disposed in the upper through hole of the metallic frame; a lower non-metallic coupling disposed in the lower through hole of the metallic frame; a window disposed on the front side of the metallic frame; a cover disposed on the rear side of the metallic frame; a printed circuit board including electronic devices; a display unit disposed between the window and the front side of the metallic frame; a first waterproof layer disposed between the window and the edge portion; and a second waterproof layer disposed between the cover and the edge portion of the metallic frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/632,012 filed on Jun. 23, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/464,167 filed on Aug. 20, 2014 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,720,458 issued on Aug. 1, 2017), which claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Application No. 10-2013-0124166 filed onOct. 17, 2013, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated byreference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a mobile terminal becomes multifunctional, the mobile terminal can beallowed to capture still images or moving images, play music or videofiles, play games, receive broadcasts, etc., so as to be implemented asan integrated multimedia player.

Terminals can be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationaryterminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal is a portabledevice that can be carried anywhere and have one or more of a functionof performing voice and video calls, a function of inputting/outputtinginformation, a function of storing data, etc.

In order to support and enhance such functions of the terminal, it canbe considered to improve the configuration and/or software of theterminal.

In recent years, the mobile terminal is configured to provide Long TermEvolution (LTE) service and is implemented as a smart phone. However,such mobile terminal has a degraded performance due to heat generatedfrom inside thereof, which causes a user's inconvenience. Especially, incase of a smart phone which requires processing of data whichcorresponds to 100 Mbps, and which requires a function close to apersonal computer (PC), the mobile terminal operates in a clock morethan 1 GHz. This may cause heat generation from the mobile terminal.

Further, demand for a mobile terminal capable of operating in a moresevere environment for prevention of malfunction when it is immersed inwater, is increased.

Accordingly, a new type of mobile terminal capable of having a sealedinner structure for waterproofing and capable of radiating heatgenerated by various types of inner components, may be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a mobileterminal having a radiating structure and a waterproofing structuredifferentiated from the conventional art.

Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a mobileterminal having a more enhanced structure and composite functions.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, thereis provided a mobile terminal, comprising: a display unit; a metallicframe having a front surface and a rear surface, comprising: a baseportion thermally coupled to the display unit, and an edge portioncontinuous with and adjacent to an outer periphery of the base portion;a first cover and a second cover coupled to the front and rear surfacesof the metallic frame, respectively; a first waterproof layer and asecond waterproof layer arranged between the first cover and themetallic frame, and between the second cover and the metallic frame,respectively, wherein the edge portion is configured to radiate heatgenerated by the display unit from a space inside the mobile terminal,between the first cover and the second cover, to a space outside of themobile terminal, wherein the base portion is thermally coupled to thedisplay unit by arranging a thermal member between, and in contact with,the display unit and the metallic frame, by direct contact of thedisplay unit with the metallic frame, or by non-contact proximity of thedisplay unit to the metallic frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display unitmay include: a display unit configured to display image information; anda window coupled to the display unit so as to cover one surface of thedisplay unit. The first cover may be provided with a window mountingportion configured to mount the window thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a third waterproof layer arranged between the windowmounting portion and the window.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a non-metallic coupling formed as a single structureat the front and rear surfaces of the metallic frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein thenon-metallic coupling and the metallic frame comprise an integral unit,and the non-metallic coupling may be integrally formed with the metallicframe and the non-metallic coupling may be formed by plastic overmoldthrough and about the metallic frame and the non-metallic coupling maybe formed between the edge portion and the base portion on both sides ofthe metallic frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein themetallic frame may be provided with a hole penetrating between the frontsurface and the rear surface and a portion of the non-metallic couplingpasses through the hole and joins the non-metallic coupling on the frontsurface with the non-metallic coupling on the rear surface, wherein thenon-metallic coupling and the metallic frame comprise an integral unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the non-metalliccoupling may be formed by plastic overmold through and about themetallic frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the firstand second waterproof layers may be arranged between the non-metalliccoupling and the first and second covers, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the firstwaterproof layer may be disposed to fill a gap between the first coverand the metallic frame, and wherein the first waterproof layer may beimplemented as a waterproof member having opposing surfaces that areattached to the first cover and the metallic frame, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondwaterproof layer may include: a first member coupled to a groove portionof the second cover; and a second member protruding from the firstmember, and transformed toward an interior of the mobile terminal whenthe second cover is coupled to the metallic frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the non-metalliccoupling may be provided with a socket mounting portion for mounting asocket thereto, the socket to which an external device iselectrically-connected, and wherein a second through portion for passinga third flexible printed circuit board therethrough may be formed at apartition wall which defines the socket mounting portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the secondcover may be coupled to the metallic frame, the second member may beadhered to the partition wall.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the edge portionmay a plurality of radiation portions configured to radiate wirelesssignals at different frequency bands.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, patterns may beformed on one surface of the second cover, so as to form a radiatortogether with the radiation portions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the radiationportion and the pattern may be connected to each other by a couplingportion penetratingly-formed at the second cover, and may operate as aradiator of an antenna.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include: a through hole configured to insert the couplingportion thereinto; and a conductive connection portion which extendsfrom an inner circumference of the through hole to the radiationportion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a main printed circuit board disposed on a rearsurface of the metallic frame, and configured to transmit heat to themetallic frame. The metallic frame may be provided with a rib protrudingfrom a rear surface of the metallic frame, so as to divide a firstregion where the main printed circuit board may be mounted from a secondregion where a battery is mounted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a sub printed circuit board disposed at a thirdregion divided from the second region by the rib. The metallic frame maybe provided with a first through portion for passing a first flexibleprinted circuit board therethrough, the first flexible printed circuitboard configured to connect the display unit and the sub printed circuitboard with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a second flexible printed circuit board configuredto connect the main printed circuit board and the sub printed circuitboard with each other. The second flexible printed circuit board maycover the battery partially, and extend from the main printed circuitboard to the sub printed circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second covermay be provided with an opening positioned to expose the battery. Thesecond cover may be provided with a first concaved portion recessed fromone surface of the second cover along an outer periphery of the opening.And a fourth waterproof layer may be arranged at the first concavedportion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminalmay further include a third cover coupled to the second cover or themetallic frame, so as to cover the second cover and the battery. Thethird cover may be provided with a second concaved portion recessed fromone surface thereof in correspondence to the first concaved portion.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention can have thefollowing advantages.

Firstly, temperature increase inside the mobile terminal due to heatgeneration from an electronic device can be restricted.

Secondly, the mobile terminal can have a waterproof function.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will becomemore to apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.However, it should be understood that the detailed description andspecific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of thedisclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a metallic frame according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state where a non-metallic coupling hasbeen coupled to the metallic frame of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a front surface of the metallic frame ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where a battery, a printed circuitboard, etc. have been mounted to the metallic frame of FIG. 7 to whichthe non-metallic coupling has been coupled;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a front surface of a second coveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a rear surface of the second coveraccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a rear surface of a third cover accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the exemplary embodiments,with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of briefdescription with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalentcomponents will be provided with the same reference numbers, anddescription thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, a mobile terminalof the present disclosure will be explained in more detail withreference to the attached drawings. The suffixes “module”, “unit” and“portion” for components used in the following description are providedonly for facilitation of preparing this specification, and thus they arenot granted a specific meaning or function. In addition, when it isdetermined that a detailed description of a technology known in therelated art would not add value to an explanation of the nature and gistof the present invention, the detailed description of the technology isomitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for helping getan easy understanding of the idea of the present invention and notably,should not be construed as imposing any limitation on the idea of theinvention.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention may include aportable phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcastingterminal, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), Portable Multimedia Player(PMP), a navigation system, etc. However, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may also be applicable toa fixed terminal such as a digital TV and a desktop computer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 may comprise components, such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an Audio/Video (A/V) input unit 120, a userinput unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, aninterface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and thelike. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal 100 having various components,but it is understood that implementing all of the illustrated componentsis not a requirement. A greater or fewer number of components mayalternatively be implemented.

Hereinafter, each component is described in sequence.

The wireless communication unit 110 may typically include one or morecomponents which permit wireless communications between the mobileterminal 100 and a wireless communication system or between the mobileterminal 100 and a network within which the mobile terminal 100 islocated. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include abroadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, awireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, aposition information module 115, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver (or other network entity) via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or aterrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may be a serverthat generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcastassociated information or a server that receives a previously generatedbroadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and transmitsthe same to a terminal. The broadcast associated information may referto information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast programor a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include a TVbroadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, andthe like. Also, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcastsignal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may also be provided via a mobilecommunication network and, in this case, the broadcast associatedinformation may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example, it mayexist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB), electronic service guide (ESG) of digitalvideo broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receive signalsbroadcast by using various types of broadcast systems. In particular,the broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcast byusing a digital broadcast system such as multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only(MediaFLO)®, integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T),etc. The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitablefor every broadcast system that provides a broadcast signal as well asthe above-mentioned digital broadcast systems.

Broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting associated information receivedthrough the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from at least one of network entities (e.g., base station, anexternal terminal, a server, etc.) on a mobile communication network.Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video callsignal, or various formats of data according to transmission/receptionof text/multimedia messages.

The mobile communication module 112 is configured to implement a videocall mode and a voice call mode. The video call mode indicates a callperformed while a user views counterpart, whereas the voice call modeindicates a call performed while a user does not view counterpart. Forimplementation of the video call mode and the voice call mode, themobile communication module 112 is configured to transmit and receive atleast one of voice data and image data.

The wireless internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe mobile terminal. This module may be internally or externally coupledto the mobile terminal 100. Examples of such wireless Internet accessmay include Wireless LAN (WLAN), Wi-Fi, Wireless Broadband (WIBRO)®,World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX)®, High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule may include BLUETOOTH®, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA)®, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee®, andthe like.

The position information module 115 denotes a module for sensing orcalculating a position of a mobile terminal. An example of the positioninformation module 115 may include a Global Position System (GPS)module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is configured to receive anaudio or video signal. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera 121,a microphone 122 or the like. The camera 121 processes image frames suchas still images or moving images acquired by an image sensor in a videocall mode or an image capturing mode. The processed image frames may bedisplayed on a display unit 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or transmitted to the outside via the wireless communication unit110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal.

The microphone 122 may receive sounds (audible data) via a microphone ina phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and thelike, and can process such sounds into audio data. The processed audio(voice) data may be converted for output into a format transmittable toa mobile communication base station via the mobile communication module112 in case of the phone call mode. The microphone 122 may implementvarious types of noise canceling (or suppression) algorithms to cancel(or suppress) noise or interference generated while receiving andtransmitting audio signals.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data for allowing a user tocontrol various operations of the mobile communication terminal. Theuser input unit 130 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad(e.g., a touch sensitive member that detects changes in resistance,pressure, capacitance, etc. due to being contacted) a jog wheel, a jogswitch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current status (or state) of the mobileterminal 100 such as an opened or closed state of the mobile terminal100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence ofuser contact with the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., touch inputs), theorientation of the mobile terminal 100, an acceleration or decelerationmovement and direction of the mobile terminal 100, etc., and generatescommands or signals for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is implemented as a slidetype mobile phone, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether the slidephone is open or closed. In addition, the sensing unit 140 can detectwhether or not the power supply unit 190 supplies power or whether ornot the interface unit 170 is coupled with an external device.

The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a visual,audible, and/or tactile manner. The output unit 150 may include thedisplay unit 151, an audio output module 153, an alarm unit 154, ahaptic module 155, and the like.

The display unit 151 may display information processed in the mobileterminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in a phonecall mode, the display unit 151 may display a User Interface (UI) or aGraphic User Interface (GUI) associated with a call. When the mobileterminal 100 is in a video call mode or image capturing mode, thedisplay unit 151 may display a captured image and/or received image, ora UI or GUI.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic LightEmitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display, and an e-ink display.

Some of these displays may be configured to be transparent so thatoutside may be seen therethrough, which may be referred to as atransparent display. A representative example of the transparent displaymay include a Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED), and thelike. The rear surface portion of the display unit 151 may also beimplemented to be optically transparent. Under this configuration, auser can view an object positioned at a rear side of a body through aregion occupied by the display unit 151 of the body.

The display unit 151 may be implemented in two or more in numberaccording to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal 100. Forinstance, a plurality of displays may be arranged on one surfaceintegrally or separately, or may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may also be implemented as a stereoscopic displayunit 152 for displaying stereoscopic images.

Here, the stereoscopic image may be a three-dimensional (3D)stereoscopic image, and the 3D stereoscopic image may be an image makinga viewer feel that a gradual depth and reality of an object on a monitoror a screen is the same as a reality space. A 3D stereoscopic image maybe implemented by using binocular disparity. Binocular disparity refersto disparity made by the positions of two eyes. When two eyes viewdifferent 2D images, the images are transferred to the brain through theretina and combined in the brain to provide the perception of depth andreality sense.

The stereoscopic display unit 152 may employ a stereoscopic displayscheme such as stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), anauto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme(holographic scheme), or the like. Stereoscopic schemes commonly usedfor home television receivers, or the like, include Wheatstonestereoscopic scheme, or the like.

The auto-stereoscopic scheme includes, for example, a parallax barrierscheme, a lenticular scheme, an integral imaging scheme, or the like.The projection scheme includes a reflective holographic scheme, atransmissive holographic scheme, or the like.

In general, a 3D stereoscopic image is comprised of a left image (a lefteye image) and a right image (a right eye image). According to how leftand right images are combined into a 3D stereoscopic image, the 3Dstereoscopic imaging method may be divided into a top-down method inwhich left and right images are disposed up and down in a frame, anL-to-R (left-to-right, side by side) method in which left and rightimages are disposed left and right in a frame, a checker board method inwhich fragments of left and right images are disposed in a tile form, aninterlaced method in which left and right images are alternatelydisposed by columns and rows, and a time sequential (or frame by frame)method in which left and right images are alternately displayed by time.

Also, as for a 3D thumbnail image, a left image thumbnail and a rightimage thumbnail are generated from a left image and a right image of theoriginal image frame, respectively, and then combined to generate asingle 3D thumbnail image. In general, thumbnail refers to a reducedimage or a reduced still image. The thusly generated left imagethumbnail and the right image thumbnail are displayed with a horizontaldistance difference therebetween by a depth corresponding to thedisparity between the left image and the right image on the screen,providing a stereoscopic space sense.

As illustrated, a left image and a right image required for implementinga 3D stereoscopic image may be displayed on the stereoscopic displayunit 152 by a stereoscopic processing unit (not shown). The stereoscopicprocessing unit may receive the 3D image and extract the left image andthe right image, or may receive the 2D image and change it into a leftimage and a right image.

If the display unit 151 and a touch sensitive sensor (referred to as atouch sensor) have a layered structure therebetween, the structure maybe referred to as a touch screen. The display unit 151 may be used as aninput device rather than an output device. The touch sensor may beimplemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of a pressureapplied to a specific part of the display unit 151, or capacitanceoccurring from a specific part of the display unit 151, into electricinput signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense notonly a touched position and a touched area, but also a touch pressure.Here, a touch object is an object to apply a touch input onto the touchsensor. Examples of the touch object may include a finger, a touch pen,a stylus pen, a pointer or the like.

When touch inputs are sensed by the touch sensors, corresponding signalsare transmitted to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controllerprocesses the received signals, and then transmits corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be arranged at an innerregion of the mobile terminal blocked by the touch screen, or near thetouch screen. The proximity sensor 141 indicates a sensor to sensepresence or absence of an object approaching to a surface to be sensed,or an object disposed near a surface to be sensed, by using anelectromagnetic field or infrared rays without a mechanical contact. Theproximity sensor 141 has a longer lifespan and a more enhanced utilitythan a contact sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 may include a transmissive type photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirrorreflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillationproximity sensor, capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic typeproximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and so on. When thetouch screen is implemented as capacitance type, proximity of a pointerto the touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagnetic field. Inthis case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorized into theproximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of brief explanation, a status that thepointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen withoutcontact will be referred to as ‘proximity touch’, whereas a status thatthe pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will bereferred to as ‘contact touch’. For the position corresponding to theproximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such positioncorresponds to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to thetouch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer.

The proximity sensor 141 senses proximity touch, and proximity touchpatterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, movingstatus, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch andthe sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto the touch screen.

When a touch sensor is overlaid on the stereoscopic display unit 152 ina layered manner (hereinafter, referred to as ‘stereoscopic touchscreen’), or when the stereoscopic display unit 152 and a 3D sensorsensing a touch operation are combined, the stereoscopic display unit152 may also be used as a 3D input device.

As examples of the 3D sensor, the sensing unit 140 may include aproximity sensor 141, a stereoscopic touch sensing unit 142, anultrasonic sensing unit 143, and a camera sensing unit 144.

The proximity sensor 141 detects the distance between a sensing object(e.g., the user's finger or a stylus pen) applying a touch by using theforce of electromagnetism or infrared rays without a mechanical contactand a detect surface. By using the distance, the terminal recognizeswhich portion of a stereoscopic image has been touched. In particular,when the touch screen is an electrostatic touch screen, the degree ofproximity of the sensing object is detected based on a change of anelectric field according to proximity of the sensing object, and a touchto the 3D image is recognized by using the degree of proximity.

The stereoscopic touch sensing unit 142 is configured to detect thestrength or duration of a touch applied to the touch screen. Forexample, the stereoscopic touch sensing unit 142 may sense touchpressure. When the pressure is strong, it may recognize the touch as atouch with respect to an object located farther away from the touchscreen toward the inside of the terminal.

The ultrasonic sensing unit 143 is configured to recognize positioninformation of the sensing object by using ultrasonic waves.

The ultrasonic sensing unit 143 may include, for example, an opticalsensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The optical sensor isconfigured to sense light and the ultrasonic sensors may be configuredto sense ultrasonic waves. Since light is much faster than ultrasonicwaves, a time for which the light reaches the optical sensor is muchshorter than a time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonicsensor. Therefore, a position of a wave generation source may becalculated by using a time difference from the time that the ultrasonicwave reaches based on the light as a reference signal.

The camera sensing unit 144 includes at least one of a camera 121, aphoto sensor, and a laser sensor.

For example, the camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined todetect a touch of the sensing object with respect to a 3D stereoscopicimage. When distance information detected by a laser sensor is added toa 2D image captured by the camera, 3D information can be obtained.

In another example, a photo sensor may be laminated on the mobileterminal. The photo sensor is configured to scan a movement of thesensing object in proximity to the touch screen. In detail, the photosensor includes photo diodes and transistors at rows and columns to scancontent mounted on the photo sensor by using an electrical signalchanging according to the quantity of applied light. Namely, the photosensor calculates the coordinates of the sensing object according tovariation of light to thus obtain position information of the sensingobject.

The audio output module 153 may convert and output as sound audio datareceived from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in thememory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode,a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like.Also, the audio output module 153 may provide audible outputs related toa particular function performed by the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., a callsignal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audiooutput module 153 may include a speaker, a buzzer or the like.

The alarm unit 154 outputs a signal for informing about an occurrence ofan event of the mobile terminal 100. Events generated in the mobileterminal may include call signal reception, message reception, keysignal inputs, a touch input etc. In addition to video or audio signals,the alarm unit 154 may output signals in a different manner, forexample, using vibration to inform about an occurrence of an event. Thevideo or audio signals may be also outputted via the audio output module153, so the display unit 151 and the audio output module 153 may beclassified as parts of the alarm unit 154.

A haptic module 155 generates various tactile effects the user may feel.A typical example of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module155 is vibration. The strength and pattern of the haptic module 155 canbe controlled. For example, different vibrations may be combined to beoutputted or sequentially outputted.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 155 may generate various othertactile effects such as an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a sprayforce or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suctionopening, a contact on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostaticforce, etc., an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and warmth usingan element that can absorb or generate heat.

The haptic module 155 may be implemented to allow the user to feel atactile effect through a muscle sensation such as fingers or arm of theuser, as well as transferring the tactile effect through a directcontact. Two or more haptic modules 155 may be provided according to theconfiguration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store software programs used for the processing andcontrolling operations performed by the controller 180, or maytemporarily store data (e.g., a phonebook, messages, still images,video, etc.) that are inputted or outputted. In addition, the memory 160may store data regarding various patterns of vibrations and audiosignals outputted when a touch is inputted to the touch screen.

The memory 160 may include at least one type of storage medium includinga Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-typememory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), aStatic Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), anElectrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), aProgrammable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Also, the mobile terminal 100 may be operatedin relation to a web storage device that performs the storage functionof the memory 160 over the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with every external deviceconnected with the mobile terminal 100. For example, the externaldevices may transmit data to an external device, receives and transmitspower to each element of the mobile terminal 100, or transmits internaldata of the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, theinterface unit 170 may include wired or wireless headset ports, externalpower supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memory card ports,ports for connecting a device having an identification module, audioinput/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports, or the like.

The identification module may be a chip that stores various informationfor authenticating the authority of using the mobile terminal 100 andmay include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module(SIM) a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), and the like. Inaddition, the device having the identification module (referred to as‘identifying device’, hereinafter) may take the form of a smart card.Accordingly, the identifying device may be connected with the terminal100 via the interface unit 170.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradleto be supplied therethrough to the mobile terminal 100 or may serve as apassage to allow various command signals inputted by the user from thecradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal therethrough. Variouscommand signals or power inputted from the cradle may operate as signalsfor recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on thecradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the general operations of themobile terminal. For example, the controller 180 performs controllingand processing associated with voice calls, data communications, videocalls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module181 for reproducing multimedia data. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured within the controller 180 or may be configured to beseparated from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition processing torecognize a handwriting input or a picture drawing input performed onthe touch screen as characters or images, respectively.

Also, the controller 180 may execute a lock state to restrict a userfrom inputting control commands for applications when a state of themobile terminal meets a preset condition. Also, the controller 180 maycontrol a lock screen displayed in the lock state based on a touch inputsensed on the display unit 151 in the lock state of the mobile terminal.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power or internal power andsupplies appropriate power required for operating respective elementsand components under the control of the controller 180.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable or its similar medium using, for example, software,hardware, or any combination thereof.

For hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented by using at least one of application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronic units designed to performthe functions described herein. In some cases, such embodiments may beimplemented by the controller 180 itself.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures orfunctions described herein may be implemented by software code that mayperform one or more of the functions or operations described herein.

Software codes can be implemented by a software application written inany suitable programming language. The software codes may be stored inthe memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to thepresent invention, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobileterminal of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile terminal 200 according to thepresent invention is provided with a bar type terminal body 204.However, the present invention is not limited to this, but may beapplied to a slide type in which two or more bodies are coupled to eachother so as to perform a relative motion, a folder type, a swing type,and the like. Further, the mobile terminal of the present invention maybe applied to any portable electronic device having a camera and aflash, for instance, a portable phone, a smart phone, a notebookcomputer, a digital broadcasting terminal, Personal Digital Assistants(PDAs), Portable Multimedia Players (PMO), etc.

The mobile terminal 200 includes a terminal body 204 which forms theappearance thereof.

A housing which forms the appearance of the terminal body 204 mayinclude a first cover 201, a second cover 202 (FIG. 4, 5), and a batterycover or third cover 203 for covering the rear surface of the secondcover 202.

A space formed by the first cover 201 and the second cover 202 mayaccommodate various components therein. Such covers may be formed byinjection-molded synthetic resin, or may be formed using a metallicmaterial such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

On the front surface of the terminal body 204, may be disposed a displayunit 210, a first audio output unit 211, a front camera 216, a side key214, an interface unit 215, and a signal input unit 217.

The display unit 210 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) module,organic light emitting diodes (OLED) module, e-paper, etc., each forvisually displaying information. The display unit 210 may include atouch sensing means for inputting information in a touch manner. Adisplay unit 210 including a touch sensing means may be called a ‘touchscreen’ or a ‘touch screen 210’ herein. Once part of the touch screen210 is touched, content corresponding to the touched position is input.The content input in a touch manner, may be characters, or numbers, ormenu items which can be set in each mode. The touch sensing means may betransmissive so that the display can be viewed, and may include astructure for enhancing visibility of the touch screen at a brightplace. Referring to FIG. 2, the touch screen 210 occupies most of thefront surface of the first cover 201.

The first audio output unit 211 may be implemented as a receiver fortransmitting a call sound to a user's ear, or a loud speaker foroutputting each type of alarm sound or a playback sound of multimedia.

The front camera 216 processes image frames such as still images ormoving images, acquired by an image sensor in a video call mode or acapturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on thedisplay unit 210.

The image frames processed by the front camera 216 may be stored in thememory 160, or may be transmitted to the outside through the wirelesscommunication unit 110. The front camera 216 may be implemented in twoor more according to a user's interface.

The signal input unit 217 is manipulated to receive a command forcontrolling the operation of the mobile terminal 200, and may include aplurality of input keys. The input keys may be referred to asmanipulation portions, and may include any type of ones that can bemanipulated in a user's tactile manner.

For instance, the signal input unit 217 may be implemented as a domeswitch, or a touch screen, or a touch pad for inputting commands orinformation in a user's push or touch manner. Alternatively, the signalinput unit 217 may be implemented, for example, as a wheel for rotatinga key, a jog, or a joystick. The signal input unit 217 is configured toinput various commands such as START, END and SCROLL.

A side key 214, an interface unit 215, an audio input unit 213, etc. maybe disposed on the side surface of the first cover 201.

The side key 214 may be called a ‘manipulation unit’, and may beconfigured to receive commands for controlling the operation of themobile terminal 200. The side key 214 may include any type of ones thatcan be manipulated in a user's tactile manner. Content input by the sidekey 214 may be variously set. For instance, through the side key 214,may be input commands such as controlling the front and rear cameras 216and 221, controlling the level of sound output from the audio outputunit 211, and converting a current mode of the display unit 210 into atouch recognition mode.

The audio input unit 213 may be implemented as a microphone forreceiving a user's voice, other sound, etc.

The interface unit 215 serves a path through which the mobile terminal200 performs data exchange, etc. with an external device. For example,the interface unit 215 may be at least one of a connection terminalthrough which the mobile terminal 200 is connected to an ear phone bycable or radio, a port for local area communication, e.g., an infrareddata association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth® portion, a wireless LAN port,and power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal200. The interface unit 215 may be a card socket for accommodating anexternal card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, auser identity module (UIM) card or a memory card for storinginformation.

A power supply unit 240 (FIG. 4) and the rear camera 221 are disposed onthe rear surface of the body 204.

A flash 222 and a mirror (not shown) may be disposed close to the rearcamera 221. When capturing an object by using the rear camera 221, theflash 222 provides light onto the object.

When the user captures an image of himself/herself by using the rearcamera 221, the mirror can be used for the user to look athimself/herself therein.

The rear camera 221 may face a direction which is opposite to adirection faced by the front camera 216, and may have different pixelsfrom those of the front camera 216.

For example, the front camera 216 may operate with relatively lowerpixels (lower resolution). Thus, the front camera 216 may be useful whena user can capture his face and send it to another party during a videocall or the like. On the other hand, the rear camera 221 may operatewith a relatively higher pixels (higher resolution) such that it can beuseful for a user to obtain higher quality pictures for later use. Thefront camera 216 and the rear camera 221 may be installed at theterminal body 204 so as to rotate or pop-up.

The power supply unit 240 is configured to supply power to the mobileterminal 200. The power supply unit 240 may be mounted in the terminalbody 204, or may be detachably mounted to the terminal body 204.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mobile terminal includes a window 210 a and adisplay module 210 b which constitute the display unit 210. The window210 a may be coupled to one surface of the first cover 201. The window210 a and the display module 210 b may be integrally formed with eachother.

A metallic frame 300, configured to support electronic devices, isformed between the first cover 201 and the second cover 202. Themetallic frame 300, a structure to support inside of the mobileterminal, may be configured to support at least one of the displaymodule 210 b, the camera module 221, an antenna device, an antennamodule 290 having a plurality of antenna devices, a battery 240 and amain printed circuit board 251.

The metallic frame 300 may be configured such that part thereof isexposed to outside of the mobile terminal. Further, the metallic frame300 may constitute part of a sliding module which connects the terminalbody and the display unit with each other, in a slide type mobileterminal, not a bar type mobile terminal.

Referring to FIG. 4, the main printed circuit board 251 is disposedbetween the metallic frame 300 and the second cover 202, and the displaymodule 210 b is coupled to one surface of the metallic frame 300. Themain printed circuit board 251 and the battery 240 may be disposed onanother surface of the metallic frame 300, and a battery cover or thirdcover 203 for covering the battery 240 may be coupled to the secondcover 202.

The window 210 a is coupled to one surface of the first cover 201. Atouch sensing pattern, configured to sense a touch input, may be formedon one surface of the window 210 a. The touch sensing pattern may beformed of a light transmissive material. The touch sensing pattern maybe mounted to a front surface of the window 210 a, and may be configuredto convert a change of a voltage occurring from a specific part of thewindow 210 a into an electric input signal.

The display module 210 b may be mounted to a rear surface of the window210 a. In this embodiment, the display module 210 b is implemented as athin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). However, thepresent invention is not limited to this.

For instance, the display module 210 b may be implemented as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), aflexible display, a 3D display, etc.

As aforementioned, the main printed circuit board 251 may be mounted toone surface of the metallic frame 300. However, the printed circuitboard 250 may be mounted below the display module 210 b. At least oneelectronic device is mounted onto a surface of the main printed circuitboard 251.

A battery accommodation portion 260, which is recessed to accommodatethe battery 240 therein, may be formed at the metallic frame 300. Acontact terminal (not shown) connected to the main printed circuit board251 may be located adjacent to one side surface of the batteryaccommodation portion 260, so that the battery 240 can supply power tothe terminal body.

An antenna module may be formed on an upper end or a lower end of themobile terminal. The antenna module may be formed in plurality innumber, and the plurality of antenna modules may be disposed at therespective ends. The antenna modules may be configured to transmit andreceive radio signals in different frequency bands. Such antenna modulemay include conductive members formed on one surface of a carrier. Forinstance, a carrier, where conductive members have been formed, may bemounted to a lower part of the mobile terminal. The carrier may becoupled to the second cover 202 by coupling means such as screws. Inthis case, the screws may be coupled to holes of the second cover 202through holes of the carrier.

The metallic frame 300 may operate as a ground. That is, the mainprinted circuit board 251 or the antenna module may be ground-connectedto the metallic frame 300, and the metallic frame 300 may operate as aground of the main printed circuit board 251 or the antenna module. Insuch an embodiment, the metallic frame 300 may extend a ground region ofthe mobile terminal.

The main printed circuit board 251 is electrically connected to theantenna module, and is configured to process radio signals (or radioelectromagnetic waves) transmitted and received by the antenna module.For processing of radio signals, a plurality of transceiving circuitsmay be mounted to the main printed circuit board 251.

The transceiving circuits may include one or more integrated circuitsand related electronic devices. As an example, the transceiving circuitsmay include a transmission integrated circuit, a reception integratedcircuit, a switching circuit, an amplifier, etc.

As the plurality of transceiving circuits simultaneously feed conductivemembers formed in conductive patterns, a plurality of antenna modulesmay operate simultaneously. For instance, while one of the transceivingcircuits performs signal transmission, another may perform signalreception. Alternatively, both of the transceiving circuits may performsignal transmission or signal reception.

Coaxial cables may be formed to connect the main printed circuit board251 with the antenna modules. For instance, the coaxial cables may beconnected to feeding devices for feeding the antenna modules.

Patterns of antenna devices may be formed at one side and another sideof the second cover 202. The respective antenna devices are configuredto transceive (transmit and receive) signals in different frequencybands.

For instance, a first antenna device may be configured to transceive DCN1.times. type or PCS 1.times. type signals, and a second antenna devicemay be configured to transceive DCN EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized orEvolution-Data Only) type signals.

If the first antenna device transceives LTE B4 type signals, the secondantenna device may transceive LTE B13 type signals.

Alternatively, if the first antenna device transceives signalscorresponding to voice service of the mobile terminal, the secondantenna device may transceive data signals corresponding to LTE serviceof the mobile terminal.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line ‘IV-IV’ in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first cover 201 is coupled to a front surfaceof the metallic frame 300, and the second cover 202 is coupled to a rearsurface of the metallic frame 300. The first cover 201 may be referredto as a front cover, and the second cover 202 may be referred to as arear cover.

The metallic frame 300 includes a base portion 310 and an edge portion320, and the metallic frame 300 is configured to support inside of theterminal body. The metallic frame 300 may form appearance of theterminal body as part thereof is exposed to outside.

The base portion 310 may be formed to have a plate shape, and thedisplay unit 210 may be arranged on a front surface of the base portion310. The display unit 210 may be supported by the base portion 310 asone surface thereof comes in contact with the base portion 310. Thedisplay unit 210 may include the display module 210 b and the window 210a. The display module 210 b and the window 210 a may be integrallyformed with each other. The display unit 210 may be coupled to themobile terminal as the window 210 a of the display unit 210 is mountedto the first cover 201. In such an embodiment, the first cover 201 maybe provided with a window mounting portion 201 c for mounting the window210 a thereto.

The edge portion 320 may be formed along an outer periphery of the baseportion 310, and may be exposed to outside of the terminal body betweenthe first cover 201 and the second cover 202. The edge portion 320 maybe connected to the base portion 310, thereby emitting heat generatedfrom inside of the mobile terminal to outside. In this case, one or morelight emitting portions may come in contact with the base portion 310.

The base portion 310 and the edge portion 320 may be partitioned fromeach other by a non-metallic coupling 330. The non-metallic coupling 330may be formed of a synthetic resin, etc., and may be integrally formedat the metallic frame 300 by plastic overmold.

In a case where the first cover 201 is coupled to a front surface of themetallic frame 300 and the second cover 202 is coupled to a rear surfaceof the metallic frame 300, waterproof layers may be formed between thecovers 201, 202 and the metallic frame 300. For instance, a firstwaterproof layer 201 b may be formed between the metallic frame 300 andthe first cover 201, and the second waterproof layer 205 may be formedbetween the metallic frame 300 and the second cover 202.

The waterproof layers 201 b and 205 may be formed between the covers201, 202 and the non-metallic coupling 330 which covers the metallicframe 300. That is, one of the sides of the waterproof layers 201 b, 205may be adhered to the non-metallic coupling 330. An adhered statebetween components for waterproofing may be more preferably implementedon a non-metallic surface, than on a metallic surface.

The first waterproof layer 201 b may be disposed to fill a gap betweenthe first cover 201 and the metallic frame 300. In a case where thefront side of the metallic frame 300 includes a portion that is coveredby the non-metallic coupling 330, the first waterproof layer 201 b maybe formed between the non-metallic coupling 330 and the first cover 201.Two surfaces of the first waterproof layer 201 b may be attached to thefirst cover 201 and the metallic frame 300, respectively. Alternatively,two surfaces of the first waterproof layer 201 b may be attached to thefirst cover 201 and the non-metallic coupling 330, respectively. Thefirst waterproof layer 201 b may be implemented as a double-sided tape.

The second waterproof layer 205 may be coupled to the second cover 202.For this, the second cover 202 may be provided with a groove portion 202b. The groove portion 202 b may be formed along an edge of the secondcover 202. The second waterproof layer 205 may be provided with a firstmember 205 a and a second member 205 b, and the first member 205 a maybe coupled to the groove portion 202 b. The second member 205 b may beprotruding from the first member 205 a, and may be transformed towardinside of the mobile terminal when the second cover 202 is coupled tothe metallic frame 300. The second member 205 b may be formed of arubber material having elasticity.

A third waterproof layer 201 a may be formed between the window mountingportion 201 c and the window 210 a. The third waterproof layer 201 a maybe implemented as a double-sided tape, and two surfaces thereof may beattached to the window mounting portion 201 c and the window 210 a,respectively.

The second cover 202 may be provided with an opening 202 a through whichthe battery 240 is exposed to outside. A third cover 203 may be coupledto the second cover 202 or the metallic frame 300 so as to cover theopening 202 a and the second cover 202.

The metallic frame 300 may be provided for both a heat radiatingfunction and a waterproof function. The metallic frame 300 may beconnected to a conductive pattern of an antenna, so as to operate as aradiator of the antenna.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the metallic frame 300 according to anembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating astate where the non-metallic coupling 330 has been coupled to themetallic frame 300 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a frontsurface of the metallic frame 300 of FIG. 7. More specifically, FIG. 6illustrates the metallic frame 300 in a state where the non-metalliccoupling 330 has not been coupled to the metallic frame 300. FIGS. 7 and8 illustrate a rear surface and a front surface, respectively, of themetallic frame 300 in a state where the non-metallic coupling 330 hasbeen coupled to the metallic frame 300.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the metallic frame 300 is provided with thebase portion 310 and the edge portion 320. The base portion 310 and theedge portion 320 are partitioned from each other on the front surfaceand the rear surface of the metallic frame 300, by the non-metalliccoupling 330 coupled to the metallic frame 300.

The metallic frame 300 and the non-metallic coupling 330 may beintegrally formed with each other by plastic overmold. Plastic overmoldis a method for integrally forming a plastic member at a metallicmember. For such plastic overmold, one or more through holes H may beformed in the metallic frame 300 to which the non-metallic coupling 330is coupled. Once the injected non-metallic coupling 330 is hardened itcovers the holes H, in this manner, the non-metallic coupling 330 may beintegrally formed at the metallic frame 300.

A plurality of regions are formed on a rear surface of the metallicframe 300. The respective regions may be partitioned from each other bya rib 311 protruding from the rear surface of the metallic frame 300.

A first region (R1) is a region formed on an upper part of the rearsurface of the metallic frame 300, and a main printed circuit board 251may be arranged on the first region (R1). A second region (R2) is aregion formed on a central part of the rear surface of the metallicframe 300, and the battery 240 for supplying power to the mobileterminal may be arranged at the second region (R2). A third region (R3)may be formed below the second region (R2), and may be partitioned fromthe second region (R2) by the rib 311. A sub printed circuit board 252may be arranged at the third region (R3).

A plurality of electronic devices 251 a may be mounted to one surface ofthe main printed circuit board 251. Such electronic device may be amicroprocessor for communication which operates at a high speed, or amicroprocessor for non-communication. Especially, such electronic devicemay be a communication chip including a modem chip, an RF transmitterchip and an RF receiver chip, and/or a power supply chip including a PA(Power Amplifier) chip and a PMIC (Power Management IC) chip. While theaforementioned communication chip and/or the power supply chip operate,a large amount of heat may be generated. That is, in a mobile terminalwhich becomes more diversified, the amount of power used by not only themobile terminal but also a wireless communication device is increased.Accordingly, the amount of heat generated from the wirelesscommunication device is also increased. If heat generated from thewireless communication device is effectively emitted to outside of themobile terminal, the entire temperature of the mobile terminal can bestably controlled. Further, heat may be also generated from the powersupply chip due to an inner resistance, the power supply chip configuredto supply power to the wireless communication device, to convert power,to rectify a current, to accumulate power, etc. In the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, heat generated fromthe electronic devices 251 a is effectively emitted to outside of themobile terminal. This can allow the entire temperature of the mobileterminal to be stably controlled.

Such electronic device 251 a may be disposed so as to be in contact witha thermal conductive member. Under such configuration, when the thermalconductive member and the metallic frame 300 contact each other, heatgenerated from the electronic device 251 a may be transmitted to themetallic frame 300 through the thermal conductive member.

Alternatively, heat generated from the electronic device 251 a may betransmitted to the metallic frame 300 in a state where the electronicdevice 251 a and the metallic frame 300 come in contact with each other.Still alternatively, heat generated from the electronic device 251 a maybe transmitted to the metallic frame 300 in a state where the electronicdevice 251 a and the metallic frame 300 do not come in contact with eachother.

The edge portion 320 may include a plurality of radiation portionsconfigured to radiate wireless signals at different frequency bands. Theradiation portion may include a first radiation portion 321 and a secondradiation portion 322, and may be configured such that the respectiveradiation portions operate at different frequency bands. The radiationportion may form a radiator together with a pattern connected to theradiation portion. Such pattern may be formed at the second cover 202.The pattern may include a first pattern (P1) connected to the firstradiation portion 321, and a second pattern (P2) connected to the secondradiation portion 322.

The mobile terminal may further include a through hole 341 and aconductive connection portion 342, for connection of the radiationportion of the metallic frame 300 with the pattern of the second cover202. The through hole 341 and the conductive connection portion 342 maybe formed in the non-metallic coupling 330 or the metallic frame 300. Ina case where the through hole 341 and the conductive connection portion342 are formed in the metallic frame 300, the through hole 341 and theconductive connection portion 342 correspond to part of the metallicframe 300, the part not covered by the non-metallic coupling 330.

The through hole 341 is configured to insert therein a conductivecoupling 291 (FIG. 4) penetratingly-formed at the second cover 202. Oncethe conductive coupling 291 is inserted into the through hole 341, theradiation portion and the pattern are electrically-connected to eachother. The conductive connection portion 342, a conductive pattern whichextends from an inner circumference of the through hole 341 to theradiation portion, is configured to electrically-connect the throughhole 341 and the radiation portion with each other.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where the battery 240, the printedcircuit boards 251, 252, etc. have been mounted to the metallic frame300 of FIG. 7 to which the non-metallic coupling 330 has been coupled.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, a rear surface of the metallic frame 300 maybe divided into a first region (R1), a second region (R2) and a thirdregion (R3).

The main printed circuit board 251 is arranged at the first region (R1),the battery 240 is arranged at the second region (R2), and the subprinted circuit board 252 is arranged at the third region (R3).

Referring to FIG. 7, the metallic frame 300 is provided with a firstthrough portion 312. A first flexible printed circuit board 210 c (referto FIG. 4), which connects the display unit 210 and the sub printedcircuit board 252 with each other, passes through the first throughportion 312. The first through portion 312 may be formed at the thirdregion (R3). The display unit 210 formed on a front surface of themetallic frame 300, and the sub printed circuit board 252 formed on arear surface of the metallic frame 300 may be connected with each otherby the first flexible printed circuit board 210 c.

In this case, the sub printed circuit board 252 may be provided with oneor more electronic devices for transmitting a signal to the display unit210, or for controlling the display unit 210. Alternatively, the subprinted circuit board 252 may be provided with one or more electronicdevices for processing a touch sensing signal received from the touchsensing pattern. The touch sensing pattern and the sub printed circuitboard 252 may be connected with each other by the first flexible printedcircuit board 210 c. For this, the first flexible printed circuit board210 c may be provided with a plurality of lines. Some of the lines mayconnect the display unit 210 and the sub printed circuit board 252 witheach other, and others of the lines may connect the touch sensingpattern and the sub printed circuit board 252 with each other.

Referring to FIG. 9, the main printed circuit board 251 and the subprinted circuit board 252 are spaced from each other in a state wherethe battery 240 is interposed therebetween. Second flexible printedcircuit boards 261 and 262, configured to connect the main printedcircuit board 251 and the sub printed circuit board 252 with each other,may be provided in order to transceive (transmit and receive) a signalby electrically-connecting the main printed circuit board 251 and thesub printed circuit board 252 with each other.

The second flexible printed circuit boards 261 and 262 may cover thebattery 240 partially. The second flexible printed circuit boards 261and 262 may extend from the main printed circuit board 251 to the subprinted circuit board 252, because the main printed circuit board 251and the sub printed circuit board 252 are spaced from each other in astate where the battery 240 is interposed therebetween. In case of anintegrated type battery not a detachable type battery, the battery 240,the main printed circuit board 251 and the sub printed circuit board 252are mounted to a rear surface of the metallic frame 300. Then the mainprinted circuit board 251 and the sub printed circuit board 252 areconnected with each other using the second flexible printed circuitboards 261 and 262. Such procedures are advantageous for assemblyprocesses. The battery 240 may have an increased or decreased volumeaccording to a usage state thereof. Accordingly, the second flexibleprinted circuit boards 261 and 262 are arranged to cover the battery240. Also, the second flexible printed circuit boards 261 and 262 areformed to have a margin more than a prescribed length, so as to maintaina connection with the main printed circuit board 251 or the sub printedcircuit board 252 even if the battery 240 has an increased volume.

The mobile terminal may further include a coaxial cable 263 configuredto electrically-connect the main printed circuit board 251 with the subprinted circuit board 252 spaced apart from the main printed circuitboard 251.

The non-metallic coupling 330 may be provided with a socket mountingportion 331 (FIG. 7) for mounting a socket 219 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4) thereto,the socket to which an external device may be electrically-connected.The socket mounting portion 331 and the third region (R3) may bepartitioned from each other by a partition wall 332. The partition wall332 is provided with a second through portion 333 for passing a thirdflexible printed circuit board 254 therethrough. The sub printed circuitboard 252 and the socket 219 can be electrically-connected to each otherthrough the third flexible printed circuit board 254 which passesthrough the second through portion 333.

Once the second cover 202 is coupled to the metallic frame 300, thesecond member 205 b of the second waterproof layer 205 may be adhered tothe partition wall 332. In this state, the inside of the mobile terminalmay have a sealed state.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a front surface of the second cover 202according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a viewillustrating a rear surface of the second cover 202 according to anembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a view illustratinga rear surface of a third cover 203 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a second waterproof layer 205 may be formed on afront surface of the second cover 202. The second waterproof layer 205may be coupled to the second cover 202. For this, the second cover 202may be provided with a groove portion 202 b. The groove portion 202 bmay be formed along an edge of the second cover 202. The secondwaterproof layer 205 may be provided with a first member 205 a and asecond member 205 b, and the first member 205 a may be coupled to thegroove portion 202 b. The second member 205 b may be protruding from thefirst member 205 a, and may be transformed toward inside of the mobileterminal when the second cover 202 is coupled to the metallic frame 300.The second member 205 b may be formed of a rubber material havingelasticity.

The second cover 202 may be provided with an opening 202 a through whichthe battery 240 is exposed to outside. The battery 240 may have anincreased or decreased volume according to a usage state thereof. Theopening 202 a may provide a space for expansion of the battery 240.

Referring to FIG. 11, the second cover 202 may be provided with a firstconcaved portion 202 c. The first concaved portion 202 c is recessedfrom one surface of the second cover 202 along an outer periphery of theopening 202 a. As foreign substances may be introduced into the opening202 a from outside, a fourth waterproof layer 202 d (refer to FIG. 5)may be formed at the first concaved portion 202 c.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 12, the third cover 203 serving as a batterycover may be coupled to the second cover 202 or the metallic frame 300.The third cover 203 may be provided with a second concaved portion 203 arecessed from one surface thereof in correspondence to the firstconcaved portion 202 c. The fourth waterproof layer 202 d may be formedbetween the first concaved portion 202 c and the second concaved portion203 a. Two surfaces of the fourth waterproof layer 202 d may be attachedto the first concaved portion 202 c and the second concaved portion 203a, respectively. Under such configuration, foreign substances can beprevented from being introduced into a gap between the third cover 203and the second cover 202, and inside of the mobile terminal can maintaina sealed state.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The presentteachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thisdescription is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scopeof the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods,and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described hereinmay be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: aplurality of antennas configured to transmit and receive radio signals;a metallic frame having a front side and a rear side, the metallic framecomprising: an edge portion forming an appearance of the bar-type mobileterminal, an upper through hole, and a lower through hole; an uppernon-metallic coupling disposed in the upper through hole of the metallicframe; a lower non-metallic coupling disposed in the lower through holeof the metallic frame; a window disposed on the front side of themetallic frame; a cover disposed on the rear side of the metallic frame;a printed circuit board including a plurality of electronic devices; adisplay unit disposed between the window and the front side of themetallic frame; a first waterproof layer disposed between the window andthe edge portion of the metallic frame; and a second waterproof layerdisposed between the cover and the edge portion of the metallic frame,wherein the metallic frame is disposed between the window and the cover,wherein the plurality of antennas is disposed at an upper edge and alower edge of metallic frame, wherein a portion of the metallic frameoperates as a ground of the plurality of antennas, wherein the edgeportion of the metallic frame includes a first radiation portion and asecond radiation portion, wherein the first radiation portion and thesecond radiation portion are configured to operate as radiators of theplurality of antennas at different frequency bands, wherein an upperportion of the first radiation portion is separated from an upperportion of the second radiation portion by the upper non-metalliccoupling at an upper end of the bar-type mobile terminal, wherein alower portion of the first radiation portion is separated from a lowerportion of the second radiation portion by the lower non-metalliccoupling at a lower end of the bar-type mobile terminal, wherein theprinted circuit board is electrically connected to the plurality ofantennas, wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic devicesincludes a communication chip to process radio signals, and wherein theradio signals correspond to a LTE service.
 2. The bar-type mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein one of the upper or lower non-metalliccoupling is integrally formed with the metallic frame by plasticovermold.
 3. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein themetallic frame includes a base portion, wherein a portion of the edgeportion is connected to a portion of the base portion, and wherein theedge portion is formed along an outer periphery of the base portion. 4.The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein an upper portion of thebase portion is partitioned from an upper portion of the edge portion bythe upper non-metallic coupling, and wherein a lower portion of the baseportion is partitioned from a lower portion of the edge portion by thelower non-metallic coupling.
 5. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the metallic frame includes a through portion, and wherein aflexible printed circuit board is connected with the display unit andpasses through the through portion.
 6. The bar-type mobile terminal ofclaim 5, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is electricallyconnected with a printed circuit board disposed at the rear side of themetallic frame.
 7. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein arear surface of the metallic frame is partitioned into a first regionand a second region, wherein the printed circuit board is arranged atthe first region, and wherein a battery is arranged at the secondregion.
 8. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a rearsurface of the metallic frame is partitioned into a first region and asecond region, and wherein the second region is partitioned from thefirst region by a rib.
 9. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1,further comprising: a thermal conductive member, wherein heat generatedfrom the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices istransmitted to the metallic frame through the thermal conductive member.10. A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a plurality of antennasconfigured to transmit and receive radio signals; a metallic framehaving a front side and a rear side, the metallic frame comprising: abase portion, an edge portion forming an appearance of the bar-typemobile terminal, a portion of the edge portion is connected to a portionof the base portion and the edge portion is formed along an outerperiphery of the base portion, an upper through hole, and a lowerthrough hole; an upper non-metallic coupling disposed in the upperthrough hole of the metallic frame; a lower non-metallic couplingdisposed in the lower through hole of the metallic frame, a windowdisposed on the front side of the metallic frame; a cover disposed onthe rear side of the metallic frame; a printed circuit board including aplurality of electronic devices; a display unit disposed between thewindow and the front side of the metallic frame; a first waterprooflayer disposed between the window and the metallic frame; and a secondwaterproof layer disposed between the cover and the metallic frame,wherein the metallic frame is disposed between the window and the cover,wherein the plurality of antennas is disposed at an upper end and alower end of the bar-type mobile terminal, wherein a portion of themetallic frame operates as a ground of the plurality of antennas,wherein an upper portion of the base portion is partitioned from anupper portion of the edge portion by the upper non-metallic coupling,wherein a lower portion of the base portion is partitioned from a lowerportion of the edge portion by the lower non-metallic coupling, whereinthe edge portion of the metallic frame includes a first radiationportion and a second radiation portion, wherein the first radiationportion and the second radiation portion are configured to operate asradiators of the plurality of antennas at different frequency bands,wherein an upper portion of the first radiation portion is separatedfrom an upper portion of the second radiation portion by the uppernon-metallic coupling at a upper end of the bar-type mobile terminal,wherein a lower portion of the first radiation portion is separated froma lower portion of the second radiation portion by the lowernon-metallic coupling at a lower end of the bar-type mobile terminal,wherein the printed circuit board is electrically connected to theplurality of antennas, wherein at least one of the plurality ofelectronic devices includes a communication chip to process radiosignals, and wherein the radio signals correspond to a LTE service. 11.The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein one of the upper orlower non-metallic coupling is integrally formed with the metallic frameby plastic overmold.
 12. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 10,wherein the metallic frame includes a through portion, and wherein aflexible printed circuit board is connected with the display unit andpasses through the through portion.
 13. The bar-type mobile terminal ofclaim 12, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is electricallyconnected with a printed circuit board disposed at the rear side of themetallic frame.
 14. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein arear surface of the metallic frame is partitioned into a first regionand a second region, wherein the printed circuit board is arranged atthe first region, and wherein a battery is arranged at the secondregion.
 15. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein a rearsurface of the metallic frame is partitioned into a first region and asecond region, and wherein the second region is partitioned from thefirst region by a rib.
 16. The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 10,further comprising: a thermal conductive member, wherein heat generatedfrom the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices istransmitted to the metallic frame through the thermal conductive member.17. A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a plurality of antennasconfigured to transmit and receive radio signals; a metallic framehaving a front side and a rear side, the metallic frame comprising: anedge portion forming an appearance of the bar-type mobile terminal, anupper through hole, and a lower through hole; an upper non-metalliccoupling disposed in the upper through hole of the metallic frame; alower non-metallic coupling disposed in the lower through hole of themetallic frame, a window disposed on the front side of the metallicframe; a cover disposed on the rear side of the metallic frame; aprinted circuit board including a plurality of electronic devices; adisplay unit disposed between the window and the front side of themetallic frame; a first waterproof layer disposed between the window andthe edge portion of the metallic frame; and a second waterproof layerdisposed between the cover and the edge portion of the metallic frame,wherein the metallic frame is disposed between the window and the cover,wherein the plurality of antennas is disposed at an upper edge and alower edge of metallic frame, wherein a portion of the metallic frameoperates as a ground of the plurality of antennas, wherein the edgeportion of the metallic frame includes a first radiation portion and asecond radiation portion, wherein the first radiation portion and thesecond radiation portion are configured to operate as radiators of theplurality of antennas at different frequency bands, wherein an upperportion of the first radiation portion is separated from an upperportion of the second radiation portion by the upper non-metalliccoupling at a upper end of the bar-type mobile terminal, wherein a lowerportion of the first radiation portion is separated from a lower portionof the second radiation portion by the lower non-metallic coupling at alower end of the bar-type mobile terminal, wherein the printed circuitboard is electrically connected to the plurality of antennas, wherein atleast one of the plurality of electronic devices includes acommunication chip to process radio signals, wherein the radio signalscorrespond to a LTE service, and wherein heat generated from the atleast one of the plurality of electronic devices is transmitted to themetallic frame through a thermal conductive member.